3/27/2023 0 Comments Slender salamander![]() ![]() The northern and eastern range limits in Monterey County are not yet known, extending at least as far north as Prewitt Creek.įrom sea level to near 3,280 ft. Found only in the Santa Lucia Mountains in northwestern San Luis Obispo County and southwestern Monterey County. Inhabits open and closed forests of yellow pine, laurel, sycamore, and oak woodland.Įndemic to the central coast of California. Young develop completely in the egg and hatch fully formed. Typically, Batrachoseps females lay eggs in moist places underground. Little is known about the breeding behavior of this species. Probably eats a variety of small invertebrates.įeeding behavior is not known, but other Batrachoseps species are sit-and-wait predators that use a projectile tongue to catch prey. (After its tail is detached or severed, the salamander will grow a new tail.) Detaching the tail, which wriggles on the ground to distract a predator from the salamander long enough for it to escape. Uncoiling quickly and springing away repeatedly bouncing over the ground, then remaining still again to avoid detection. Coiling and remaining still, relying on cryptic coloring to avoid detection. Slender salamanders use several defense tactics, including: Usually found under rocks, logs, bark, and other debris. Retreats underground when the soil dries or when air temperature drops to near freezing. Surface acivity has been observed from mid January to early June, but activity probably begins with the first fall precipitation in October or November and may continue after the rains when cool temperatures and moisture are provided by marine fog drip. (They do not hatch in the water and begin their lives as tiny swimming larvae breathing through gills like some other types of salamanders.)Īctive on rainy or wet nights when temperatures are moderate, fall through spring. The young develop in the egg and hatch directly into a tiny terrestrial salamander with the same body form as an adult. Plethodontid salamanders are also distinguished by their naso-labial grooves, which are vertical slits between the nostrils and upper lip that are lined with glands associated with chemoreception.Īll Plethodontid Salamanders native to California lay eggs in moist places on land. (Plethodontid salamanders native to California do not inhabit streams or bodies of water but they are capable of surviving for a short time if they fall into water.) This requires them to live in damp environments on land and to move about on the ground only during times of high humidity. They conduct respiration through their skin and the tissues lining their mouth. Plethodontid salamanders do not breathe through lungs. nigriventris which has smaller digits.Ī member of family Plethodontidae, the Plethodontid or Lungless Salamanders. The digits of the toes are individually distinct, and easier to see when compared to B. The venter is lighter in color than the dorsum and finely speckled.Ĭomparison With Sympatric Slender SalamandersĬo-exists with B. Ground color is dark grey to brown or reddish brown. (Other California salamanders have five toes on the hind feet.) There are four toes on the front and hind feet, which is typical of all Slender Salamanders. Short limbs, a narrow head, long slender body, very long tail, and conspicuous costal and caudal grooves give this species the worm-like appearance typical of most Slender Salamanders. nigriventris - Black-bellied Slender SalamanderĪdults are 1 1/2 - 1 9/10 inches long (3.8 - 4.8 cm) from snout to vent.Ī small thin salamander with 18-20 costal grooves. incognitus has slightly larger legs and toes and neck. nigriventris - Black-bellied Slender Salamanderī. nigriventris which has smaller digits.īottom: B. incognitus are individually distinct, and easier to see when compared to B. incognitus is the larger, more robust, of the two species, with longer limbs and a broader neck and head than B. nigriventris - Black-bellied Slender Salamander, in some areas of northern San Luis Obispo County.ī. nigriventris - Black-bellied Slender SalamanderĬoexists with B. All other California salamanders have 5 toes on their hind feet.Ĭomparisons With the Sympatric Species B. Slender Salmanders (genus Batrachoseps) have only 4 toes on their hind feet. This San Simeon Slender Salamander, found in Monterey County, Adult, with regenerating tail, San Luis Obispo CountyĪdult, San Luis Obispo County © Spencer Riffle (Note the large toes.) ![]()
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